Why are any of us surprised?  For many years it’s been obvious that those with the money in America have been “buying” our leaders – most significantly members of Congress – for years.  Those in the republican party are the main recipients of all this money (for example, the money coming from the Koch network of rich people) although democrats appear to be picking up the scraps from the same “trough.”  When Wall Street feels threatened, or “big oil” feels threatened, those who would stand up to them get threatened – by funding of primary opponents and pulling campaign “donations” from anyone who would work for “we the people.”

I’ll talk about  the difference between republicans and democrats later – but, the issue of “the day” is ANOTHER republican attempt to remove President Obama’s name from anything they have to deal with.  AGAIN they’re trying to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act which they named “Obamacare.”  Their “replacement” is really a HUGE tax give away to those rich people I referred to above who have BOUGHT these republicans “hook. line, and sinker.”

And, to further thumb their noses to “we the people” in order to get the votes needed to pass their draconian legislation they are attempting to FURTHER buy off balking senators.  It’s been reported that Senator Murkowski from Alaska has been. on the one hand, offered a “deal” for Alaska that’s (at least temporarily) better than the rest of us get, and, on the other hand, if she fails to support a bill that makes her “gag,” Alaska could face a republican backlash.  And, of course, Alaska depends on the federal government, possibly, more than any other state.  In other words – you do what we want, you get more money – you vote your conscience, well, your state could get………………… (Kind of like how you’d expect the mafia to act).

And, “we the people” face a media that, in too many instances, not only goes along with these type of “underworld” actions in Congress, but in some instances encourages it.  Evidently, we’re so numbed by the rich buying our leaders that it’s just normal and we’re not going to do anything about it.  In this instance over 30 MILLION Americans stand to lose their access to health insurance and, if republicans succeed in doing this, it will be DAMAGE (which I’ve talked about since Trump’s success last November with the help of the Russians) that will be incredibly hard to “fix.”  This will be the most cynical example of the “power” of republican donors in history!

From everything I’ve read, this bill is the result of republican donors pushing for the so-called “repeal and replace” that’s been proffered for over 7 years.  The FACT most republicans have NO IDEA what they’re actually voting for means little – because, the most important thing to them is the MONEY they get from their rich benefactors AND blocking any threat of being “primaried.”  Senator Murkowski is one senator who claims to be actually reading the bill as the “money changers” are putting the pressure on her.  She could end up being an American hero if she continues to vote against this TAX CUT in “health care’s clothing.”

The sad reality is that, prior to this latest fiasco, the Senate Health committee was working on a (grab your chest, I don’t want to give you a heart attack) bipartisan attempt to “fix” the parts of “Obamacare” that would make it even more accessible to “we the people” and could actually bring insurance rates DOWN.  Of course, the reality republicans don’t like is that President Obama’s name would still be “attached” to the Affordable Care Act.

What republicans don’t seem to understand is that they can’t remove President Obama’s name from the push for health care as a “right” in America.  Yes, they could create a temporary road block to providing health care to more Americans, but as this issue unfolds, no matter how long it takes to achieve “health care for all,” President Obama will ALWAYS be seen as the president who got past the first step – and, that was overcoming republican obstruction as the “Affordable Care Act” was initially passed.  These republicans seem to be in a rush to place themselves in the dark pages of American History.

Here’s another thing republicans don’t understand.  If they succeed in “repealing” the Affordable Care Act their “true colors” will soon become apparent to many voters who actually supported Trump in the past election.  Of course, many of these republicans can’t stomach Trump any more than many of us “progressives” (liberals) but don’t have the courage to say so in public.  As with the sucking up to the “money changers” they also are apparently sucking up to Trump’s “base.”  There’s a reason Congress is less popular than the local dog catcher and it’s mostly due to the republican obstruction during Obama’s term and, now, their exposed incompetence during Trump’s first 9 months in office.

One more thing – Trump is likely to find a bad outcome when Robert Mueller’s report becomes public.  The Russians associated with Vladimir Putin operate just as an American crime family would operate and Trump seems to be very comfortable in their “world.”  There’s no doubt in my mind there was collusion (to me, that’s just another word for TREASON) – the June meeting last year with Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner along with FIVE Russians directly connected to Putin who were offering damaging information on Hillary Clinton “seals the deal.”  The emails associated with that meeting removes any doubt about “collusion.”  And, obviously, what happened thereafter will only become known when our media “discovers” it.

If it were you or me and we committed actions similar to Trump Jr., Manafort, and Kushner, along with the actions of Mike Flynn we’d be looking at serious jail time.  Flynn, Manafort, and Kushner have serious issues with federal forms they filled out to gain security clearance where they withheld incriminating information along with the normal LYING that goes along with being on the “Trump team.”  They are, or should be, ALL in “hot water.”  Of course, Trump has famously talked openly about his power to “pardon” and demonstrated it with an outrageous pardon of sheriff Joe Arpaio – who violated the rights of people in the Latino community of Arizona for years – and, ran his jail like a gulag.  One has to wonder, have all these CRIMINALS been offered pardons already?  (for example, what did Trump mean when he publicly called for Flynn to “stay strong?”)

If you remember, Trump waited 18 days after he was notified that comments from Mike Pense related to information Pense had received from Flynn were incorrect and that Flynn was vulnerable to Russian “blackmail.”  Well, many people have wondered why it took Trump so long to fire Flynn and, at the same time they take for granted that everyone in the Trump “camp” was telling the truth when they said “Flynn lied to the Vice President.”  (Of course, in my mind, members of the “Trump team” RARELY tell the truth)

Not for one minute did I believe that Flynn LIED to Pense.  I’ve ALWAYS believed the one who was LYING was the Vice President.  (and Pense has repeatedly proved his propensity to LIE since that date)  To think that Mike Flynn was in a meeting with the Russian Ambassador and talking about the removal of sanctions once Trump was in office on his own would be laughable if all this wasn’t so serious.  They would have us all believe Flynn had that meeting and then for the next month said nothing about it, or any thing said in the meeting, to anyone.  And, I believe, the meeting took place in Trump Tower, so no one knew what was discussed, right?  As many in the sports world have said at ridiculous things, “Come on man!”

To me, the 18 days gave the Trump “team” time to plan their strategy of evasion once the inevitable arrived – and, that was the day Flynn had to go.  Of course, we all know that Flynn was “fired” because the media found out about this, not because of any “LIES,” but the Trump “team” knew the inevitable once Sally Yates communicated her concerns with Don McGahn – Trump’s “White House” counsel.  And, don’t fool yourself about all of Flynn’s other baggage.  It was no secret – President Obama even warned Trump about Flynn.  That would point to one of Pense’s other LIES.  I’ll explain to help clear your mind and, hopefully, help you understand the gravity of this situation.

Pense was in an interview on television shortly after Flynn’s activities with the Turkish government were made public (and, Pense and the rest of Trump’s “team” would also have to have known about Flynn’s activities in Russia at that point in time because EVERYONE else paying attention knew) and Pense’s response was “This is the first time I’ve heard this.”  Well, Pense was the head of the transition team for Trump and Flynn informed him, and the rest of the “team,” approximately two weeks prior to the inauguration he was under investigation as a lobbyist for the Turkish government.  This TV interview was in March.  Is this all sinking in?   It doesn’t seem plausible Pense would NOT have known about Turkey and/or Russia.  As with most other “secrets” in the Trump world, they are only “owned” up to once the media exposes them.  This is the reason I subscribed to the NY Times – to support the journalism that very possibly might prevent America from becoming a satellite of Russia and Vladimir Putin.  We would know NONE of this without the investigative journalists that Trump continues to attack as providing “fake news.”

So, getting back to the republicans “repeal” of “Obamacare” in order to feed their benefactors BILLIONS in tax relief for health care labeled – going forward – as “Trump care” can you see my point?  Those who think like myself are not surprised that republicans are bending to the will of those millionaires and billionaires who have BOUGHT them over the years.  What is surprising is they don’t see the folly of being “connected” to “Trump care” and a president who should NEVER have spent a day in office and one who SHOULD be impeached for a plethora of reasons.  Trump is potentially connected to the “underworld” but, he’s CERTAINLY connected to Vladimir Putin and Russia and it’s going to look really bad when Mueller’s report is completed.  The question at that point will be, “do the republicans have the ‘stones” to impeach Trump?”  Even if they lack the courage to do the right thing regarding impeachment, do they want to be attached with “Trump care” for the foreseeable future?

Some on the “right” have predicted Trump’s “White Nationalist” base will revolt with violence if he’s impeached.  However, when the special counsel reports are final, if he’s NOT impeached the backlash from the overwhelming portion of Americans who will be sickened by the thought of having a president who committed TREASON – at worst, or at a minimum attempted to COVER UP treason by members of his campaign – sitting in the “White House.”  Already, a majority of Americans are “embarrassed” to have a president who’s a “White Supremacist.”  (If you think that’s a harsh criticism, check out Trump’s public history – starting with birtherism – as they say, “actions speak louder than words”)

Republicans may be thinking either progressives won’t vote in 2018 or they can suppress their vote in 2018.  But, I believe the undoing of “Obamacare” for a bill that will give BILLIONS to the rich and cause MILLIONS of Americans to lose access to health insurance will create more “progressives” than republicans can imagine.  Republicans have been enabling the “rich” in America to plunder “we the people” since the days of Reagan simply because it gets them LOTS of money.  This bill could put the plunder of taxpayers on steroids – maybe that’s what it will take for “we the people” to realize FDR’s “New Deal” is what made us “great” and Trump’s motto “Make America Great Again” is simply “dog whistle” talk for “make America white again.”  There’s nothing great about that.  If republicans pass “Graham/Cassidy” November of 2018 can’t come soon enough!

Final though:  America is greatest when government is working from the bottom up.  Focusing on “the least of these” in the words of Jesus Christ.  I believe even atheists can understand that principle.  What I don’t understand is why so many so-called “conservative Christians” can’t.  (for example, there are hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans in America.  That is shameful and it’s something our government should be rectifying – sooner rather than later.  And, the list goes on…………)

Sometimes I can do nothing else but shake my head as I think about what has happened to the country I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up (and old) in.  This morning I forced myself to listen to republican senators who are conspiring forcing another version of “Trump care” on “we the people” despite the objections of just about anyone associated with health care – like, the heart association, the cancer association. AARP, the hospital association, the AMA, and the list is MUCH longer – but, I hope you get the idea.

Up until Bernie Sanders introduced his plan for “medicare for all,” there was a bipartisan group in the Senate Health Committee (of all places) working to create the needed “fixes” for the Affordable Care Act designed to make it work better and make it accessible to even more uninsured Americans.  Me, not knowing much about the details but liking the idea of members of Congress “working together,” felt an odd sense of “hope” that something could be done in Washington DC that was actually beneficial to a wide range of Americans.  But even the thought of EVERYONE actually having access to affordable health care (Sanders bill) really got the attention of republicans.

Apparently, Sanders plan – which was introduced as an “idea” that certainly wouldn’t even receive a vote this year, but laid out a vision for the BEST solution to our health care crisis going forward – motivated republicans to push another last ditch effort to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ie “Obamacare”).  Just as the other attempts by republicans to erase the memory of our first Black president this bill, according to reports I’ve heard, will cause around the same number of Americans to lose access to “affordable” insurance.  It will also, according to the reports I’ve heard, have an unknown – but, negative – affect on Seniors, children, and low income Americans that could be devastating.  Of course, republicans have a MISERABLE history regarding their PERPETUAL attempts to BLOCK access to health care that dates back to the 1930’s.  This bill appears aimed at Sanders proposed legislation as much as “Obamacare.”

Republicans opposed (and most still do) Social Security, they (including Ronald Reagan) predicted Medicare would destroy our nation, they’ve CONTINUALLY fought any effort to bring America out of the dark ages of access to health care to the point where we are the ONLY advanced country in the world without health care as a right and, as Senator Sanders says, not a privilege.  Now republicans are attempting ONCE MORE to repeal the Affordable Care Act and, this time, because they’re under a time issue that forces them to act by the end of this month without being forced to do this in a bipartisan manner, they’re going to do it without even getting the so-called “Bipartisan Congressional Budget Office score.”

They don’t want this score because EVERYONE knows what it’s going to say.  I’ve heard the estimates from 10 MILLION people losing health insurance in the first year to 30 MILLION over a period of years – that I’m not totally clear on – as, I’m guessing the politicians aren’t clear on it either.  Seemingly, it doesn’t matter how many people will lose coverage, there are a lot of republicans who really didn’t like a Black person as president and they’re trying to remove as much of his memory as possible.  The real irony here is that the Affordable Care Act is the “brainchild” of the Heritage Foundation – a right wing “think tank” – and it was the basis of the plan Mitt Romney put in place in Massachusetts when he was governor there.  (which reminds me, there’s a LONG list of conservative republican governors who oppose this new attempt to destroy “Obamacare.”

American politics appears to me headed in the direction of two people playing a game of ping pong.  At this point in time there’s a group in the republican party – many of them supporting our White Supremacist president – trying to repeal as much of President Obama’s legacy as they can – come “hell or high water.”  (Seems as if much of their support is getting “high water” – just sayin)  Come 2018, if progressives (liberals) get off their “bottoms” and go to the polls (many, many are NOT happy with Trump as president) the cleansing of these republicans could begin.  Now, those of us paying close attention have to be realistic here because, due to “gerrymandering” there are many seats in the House where the dog catcher could win if he/she were a republican.  However, losing their health insurance – or witnessing friends or family losing health insurance – could be enough to push people to the polls with the thought of getting rid of this republican majority in Congress.

Let me just dream here a bit.  Ted Cruz is from Texas and I believe he’s up for re-election.  Texas just faced a storm of a magnitude we haven’t seem – maybe ever.  I mean, places in Texas received 50 INCHES of rain in a matter of a couple days.  It was unbelievable – I (and millions of others) immediately felt compelled to donate money to the Red Cross or other entities attempting to help.  But, the reality is that it is on “we the people” to help.  That is, it is on our government to “step up” and provide aid in the BILLIONS to the people of Texas.  Hurricane Harvey is no longer in the headlines, but I’m guessing the damage repair will take years.  And, Texas has a Senator (Cruz) who tried to BLOCK aid to New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy hit a few years back.  I have to wonder, are the people of Texas comfortable with Cruz – who’s the MOST unpopular member of the Senate – pretty much EVERYONE hates him – who didn’t believe in helping victims of natural disasters apparently until it was him and the people of his state experiencing the disaster.  I would love to see the people of Texas send him to the unemployment office.  That would be “one down several more to go.”

Cruz is just one example of people who need to “go” before America can get back on the “track” that was established after the Great Depression by FDR and progressives who believed in the idea that we’re “all created equal” (Yes, even FDR had some “road bumps” and he was pushed forward by an incredible wife).  Republicans have been hell bent on repealing as much of the “New Deal” as possible since the days of Reagan.  And, I might add they’re attacking Johnson’s “Great Society” and his attempts at conquering poverty – along with signing bills that put the Civil Rights of African Americans (and, on their “coat tails” others) on a new level that was continually expanding until the era of GW Bush – and, took some “direct hits” during the term of President Obama as the right wing revolt towards “Civil Rights” became an overt backlash to Obama’s election.  The most significant example that comes to mind is the GUTTING of the Voting Rights Act by our right wing Supreme Court.  (Shame on you Clarence Thomas)

If this new attempt to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act succeeds the damage to republicans could be great, but the damage to this country even greater.  Republicans BLOCKED attempts to create universal health care in America, prior to President Obama, since WW II.  It was no small task for democrats to get “Obamacare” (ie The Affordable Care Act) passed and into law. (and, many lost their jobs in the process due to all the “fake news” published by the right wing “water carriers” and the unwillingness of many democrats to defend their own fundamental values.)   It was, essentially,  a six to eight year process to pass and implement and the republicans are attempting to destroy it in a matter of a couple of weeks – apparently because “they can.”  I have friends who are almost “shaking” in fear that republicans may succeed and it will cause them to lose desperately needed coverage.  The question is becoming – as I’ve stated many times on this site since Trump’s “dishonest” election – how much damage will they be able to do before “we the people” have the opportunity to “vote the bums out.”

Sadly, as soon as this bill – I believe it’s called “Graham Cassidy” was made public republican leaders BLOCKED any more progress in the Health committee which was working on the “bipartisan” solution to the flaws in “Obamacare.”  It appears these republicans are volunteering for a very BAD place in our history books.  This era is going to be another chapter in America’s history that doesn’t look good.  It’s incumbent on “progressives” (liberals) to put a stop to this eviscerating of America’s fundamental values that’s been going on now for almost 40 years in the elections of 2018.  But, it will be very difficult to reverse the damage republicans are doing – and, they’re quite aware of that fact.

Health care is just one aspect of the incredible damage being done to our country.  Trump’s budget proposal attacks virtually EVERY aspect of our nation that encourages “community” among “we the people.”  (I recently wrote about my concerns regarding the damage to public education) It appears to me it’s designed to further widen the divide which exists in America these days as opposed to trying to bring more people together.  I heard one health “expert” explain this bill would “take money from ‘blue’ states and re-route it to ‘red’ states.”  That would be unbelievably cynical – but, it wouldn’t surprise me.  If I understood him correctly, the bill would re-route money to states where governors refused “Medicaid expansion.”  Of course, I don’t understand all this, but the person suggested this bill’s damage would be “aimed” at the states Trump couldn’t win anyway – so, “what the heck?”

As I stated at the beginning of this post.  It’s hard for me to believe where this nation has evolved.  Nothing that goes on in Washington DC (I guess I should say, “not much” instead of “nothing”) makes sense.  Simply put, a MAJORITY of Americans support a “public option” – which is the equivalent of allowing them to “buy into Medicare.”  Because of republicans it’s a “non-starter” in American politics.  The list of what “we the people” support that NEVER gets through Congress because of republicans is jaw dropping.  Again, it’s up to “we the people” to correct this at the polls.  And, remember, Hillary Clinton received 3 MILLION more votes than Donald Trump – yet, he’s president.  Democrats, in every congressional election – nationally, garner between 1 and 2 MILLION more votes than republicans – yet, because of gerrymandering, republicans control the House.

This would suggest that republicans are more than willing to operate on the theory that “the end justifies the means.”  Progressives need to wake up.  Sitting on your Butt because of some “wedge issue” that you don’t like, or because some candidate isn’t your perfect answer is unacceptable.  You, if that’s you, are partially responsible for Trump being president.  If you stubbornly stay in your “ways” this disaster could continue.  Republicans are busy finding ways to prevent people from voting, they’re involved in a MASSIVE “fake news” campaign (just like Trump’s Russian compatriots), and they’ll say any LIE they think will keep voters from going to the polls.  There are NO limits on what they’ll do to win elections and keep their majority.

I’ve said many times here – republicans are really good at winning elections and completely lost at governing.  The BUMBLING they’re doing right now – in more areas than Healthcare – could have incredibly devastating outcomes to “we the people” and the rest of the world.  Honestly, I believe those around the world are shaking their collective heads just as I am.  And, if “we the people” don’t act to correct this in 2018 people in places like Europe will take corrective actions that will begin the demise of America as the “leader of the free world.”  Trust me, they don’t like Trump any more than the 60% of Americans who think he’s a disaster – and, they don’t sugarcoat his LYING as our press – including the so-called “liberal” MSNBC – has a tendency to do.  When the “world” abandons the dollar, the “damage” could take a generation to reverse.  I’m not kidding, THIS IS SERIOUS!

While Trump has everyone focused on his relationship with “Chuck and Nancy,” we’d better be paying attention to what’s going on behind the scene.  Yes, there’s many in America – a solid majority – who want to see the Dreamers get permanent “green cards” and most of those support a “path to citizenship” – and, this is a very important issue.  But, there’s a lot going on that could be devastating to this nation over the “long haul” if “we the people” fail to pay attention to what Trump’s doing while we’re not watching.

For starters, most people know he’s got Kris Kobach, the Secretary of State from Kansas busy attempting to create a voter (suppression) data base that would include virtually all the important information about every voter in America.  Thankfully, most of the other Secretaries of State are refusing to cooperate – and, ironically, even Kobach can’t cooperate because it’s against the law in Kansas to give this information.  Kobach is a Trump “lackey” willing to help push the idea that Trump would have won the “popular vote” had 3 – 5 MILLION illegal aliens not ALL voted for Hillary Clinton.  (Probably the most startling (depressing) part of this SCAM is there’s MILLIONS of Americans STUPID enough to fall for it)

So, Trump’s trying to suppress the vote via his “voter integrity” SCAM and, at the same time, there’s the REAL “fake news” out there – like Fox “news” (ie GOP news), Breitbart, Limbaugh, and others pushing the right wing conspiracy theories that – like with the voter suppression plan – MILLIONS of Americans are (again, I hate to use this word, but, I’m tired of “beating around the bush”) STUPID enough to fall for it.  People I know who watch Fox can’t even be communicated with.  They’re convinced they’ve been “educated” by Sean Hannity and the other “water carriers” and they get mad if you even suggest they might “fact check” some of the propaganda.

Now we have the Sinclair Broadcasting company attempting to merge with The Tribune corporation gaining an ever larger monopoly on local TV Stations in America.  If this merger goes through, there will be even more places where the only “news” people receive will be SLANTED to the hard right and we’ll have even more people thinking Trump is actually “draining the swamp” while he’s doing precisely the opposite.  Of course, those responsible for BLOCKING something like this merger would be Trump appointees and, I’m sure I don’t have to explain what that suggests.  (Back in the 60’s Marshall McLuhan, essentially, warned us of the “electronic age” which those on the fringe right have used to push their agenda.  And, it’s an agenda that’s aimed at prolonging “white privilege.”  This era in America really reminds me of South Africa in the last years of Apartheid.)

This surreptitious control is what Karl Rove was implying when he talked about the “permanent republican majority.”  They’ve got control of Congress, the White House (sort of), the Courts, and the media.  This is VERY dangerous.  Right now, there’s action from Trump to open the Arctic wildlife preserve for oil drilling – instead of attempting to figure out how to prevent more and more ice from melting.  Trump approved the Keystone pipeline shortly after taking the oath of office and if that actually goes through we’ll have the world’s DIRTIEST oil traveling through pipelines with histories of accidents right through the water supply of at least 100 MILLION Americans – including many of the most important farming areas in the country.  The list could go on and on.

Trump has been busy repealing Obama directives aimed at protecting the environment and protecting consumers from predator businesses as a couple examples.  It’s just a matter of time until these moves create devastating circumstances for many of those of us who call ourselves “we the people.”  His Education Secretary could be causing damage that will take years to “fix” if progressives can stand together and reverse this push to the “right” which is being helped along by the so-called “liberal media”  (That term is one of the cruelest “jokes” played on America in the past three decades and it’s turning numerous good working class people into – well, Trump supporters)  Don’t let Trump’s “deals” with “Chuck and Nancy” fool you.

For example, I read the other day where Betsy DeVoss (the Secretary of Education) was relaxing protections against sexual assaults on College Campuses.  These regulations SHOULD be enhanced NOT relaxed – and, you’d think someone of her gender would understand this.  Additionally, I’m anticipating attempts to further undermine public education beyond what “No child Left Behind” did to many schools working with low income students.

Of course, lately Trump has many people focused on those students who were pulled “from the shadows” by President Obama with the DACA program by repealing Obama’s executive order.  Now, approximately 800 THOUSAND hard working Americans (that’s the only country they’ve known) face the prospect of deportation – or, falling back into the “shadows” because of Trump’s actions.  Yes, there’s an attempt to get Congress to come up with a solution, but the politics of this issue could prevent the so-called agreement Trump made with “Chuck and Nancy” from happening.  Trump supporters are BURNING their Trump “MAGA” hats on YouTube in protest of Trump’s willingness to show compassion for these young people. (many who are in the military)  I guess these fine young people must just “hold their breath” for the next 5 months in the hopes that Congress acts.  To me, that, in itself, is cruel.

The really sad part of this issue is they’ve (Dreamers) all provided the government with all the information they need to gather them (and their families) up and ship them back to the countries they came from.  I taught in a school which had a large number of Latino students, many of whom were “illegal.”  I remember a young lady who was a wonderful student and wonderful person telling me she came into America holding onto her mother’s back as her Mom crawled under a fence on the border.  Both of her parents were extremely hard working people and they were – as have many, many immigrants who came to this country – fighting to provide a better life for their children.  It sickens me to think this young girl might be one of the many fine young American “immigrants” who became a “Dreamer” and may be vulnerable to deportation due to Trump’s executive order ending DACA.  (I believe she’s graduated from College – and, trust me, it was a real challenge for her to make it through college financially)

I’m sure there’s a plethora of “stuff” going on behind the scenes that when “we the people” actually find out the details MANY of us will be very angry.  There’s been such progress since the 1960’s and it feels as if many Trump supporters want to take us back even farther than that.  Charlottesville clearly showed the danger that lies ahead if “we the people” don’t forcefully REJECT those who are wallowing in racist (and worse – like fascist) beliefs.  Unfortunately, all the evidence suggests our president is one of those people – he’s just trying to make it look as if he’s not while throwing “dog whistles” to his “base.”  I’ve said this before: David Duke was correct when he told Trump “we elected you.”

I have to wonder how Trump reacted when he saw one of the leaders of the “Tiki Torch” march in Charlottesville blast him for not being racist enough.  He suggested that, for him, he’s looking for a president who’s daughter wouldn’t be allowed to marry a “Jewish bastard” – which were the exact words he used to describe Jared Kushner – Trump’s son in law.  What is undeniable about Trump is his racist history and his willingness to “gin up” the so-called “alt right” – and, subsequent to Charlottesville refuse to condemn any “moral equivalency” of the Nazi’s and White Supremacists with those who oppose them.

So, here’s the present reality.  There’s many like myself who want the “Dreamers” to have a “pathway to citizenship” and want the threat of deportation PERMANENTLY removed from their lives.  However, while this debate rages in Washington DC, along with “tax reform” and “health reform”  (obviously, I DON’T trust republicans with any of those issues) our environment is being bludgeoned, our public institutions – including public education – are being undermined by people purposely put in place to destroy them (in the words of Steve Bannon: “deconstruct the administrative state), and who knows what else Trump’s “lackey’s” are doing.

There’s ample evidence that many who are “surrogates” to Trump have a unconscionable  willingness to perpetrate Trump’s LIES – for example, his press secretaries – first Sean Spicer and now Sarah Sanders – have shown a willingness to ruin their own futures by repeatedly LYING to the American people from the press secretary’s “lectern.”  I’m sure many Trump supporters admire Ms Sanders willingness to be a feisty spokesperson for Trump, but the reality is that the history books are watching.  The LYING from Trump and his “people” is well beyond ANYTHING I’ve ever seen and it’s created a total lack of trust with MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of Americans.  In my view, it’s the MAIN reason Trump is so unpopular.  I’ll say it once more:  While the media is focused on the Dreamers, the “tax reform,” and I’ll add Russia and North Korea, watch what’s going on behind the scenes.  That’s the “stuff” that could make it EXTREMELY difficult to reverse the DAMAGE being done by Trump’s surrogates while no one’s watching.

In my last post I pointed out the ironies that would exist if Trump would choose to work with democrats to actually “get things done.”  For example, maybe a permanent solution to the Dreamers.  How about a “fix” to “Obamacare” and a plan moving forward to improve it while moving toward instituting the “public option” that SHOULD have been part of the original legislation.  (And, if you don’t remember, would have been except for Joe Lieberman whose wife was employed by the insurance industry that would be forced to COMPETE with an option with a low administrative overhead)  Can you imagine a “tax overhaul” that wasn’t focused on TAX CUTS for the wealthy – actually aimed at the middle class in a way that would actually stimulate the economy?  I have a good idea why all this COULD happen – much of which I posted in my last “rant.”  (Although, it’s not likely, because the reality is that “Mitch and Paul” control Congress and not “Chuck and Nancy”)

However, lets start with this little “reminder.”  I fully believe Trump and his campaign COLLUDED with the Russians.  I believe Trump has already committed OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE and he continues to make it worse.  I believe Michael Flynn (and, now, apparently, his son) is GUILTY of SEVERAL crimes.  I can’t stop reminding myself of his obnoxious speech at last year’s republican convention leading the chant “lock her up.”  He said, “If I had done one tenth of what Hillary Clinton did I’d be put away for ……….” I can’t remember all the details – and, I’m too lazy to look them up. Here’s the TRUTH – I believe, based on what I’ve seen in the public record, Flynn is GUILTY  of TEN TIMES any thing Hillary Clinton may have done wrong.  (Which, by the way, she’s been constantly exonerated from over the past 25 years – and, in this, I’m talking about the never ending attacks coming from right wing republicans aimed at her – for the sake of, as Kevin McCarthy pointed out in a RARE fit of truthfulness, hurting her poll numbers – and, by the way, attacks continuing to this day from “Trump the deal-maker”)

Trump SHOULD be impeached.  EVERY DAY his businesses are profiting off of his position as president in violation of the emoluments clause.  He’s LIED over ONE THOUSAND times – verified – since taking office and anyone honestly observing him MUST realize our president is a pathological LIAR.  He’s a NARCISSIST beyond imagination – I can’t imagine ANYONE being so focused on “tooting his own horn” or seeking “approval” as much at Trump.  His imagination seems to run wild as he compliments himself – to the point of total EMBARRASSMENT to anyone who understands “the world is watching.”

Trump has proven over and over again – and, I’ll repeat, to our collective embarrassment – his IGNORANCE of how our government works AND of our great history.  Earth to Trump, Fredrick Douglass has not “been with us” for a LONG long time.  Well over 100 years.  Trump’s rationale for considering some of those carrying tiki torches at Charlottesville “good people” also demonstrated a glaringly lack of knowledge about American History – Essentially equating slave owners who were “founding fathers” with the likes of Robert E. Lee – a TRAITOR – just as Trump and several of his surrogates will potentially be considered after Robert Mueller’s investigation is finished and made public.

Based on Trump’s recent actions, I’m suspecting his “flirtation” with democrats and willingness to “make deals” that will curdle the stomachs of those in the “freedom caucus” of the House is aimed at keeping his job once Mueller’s investigation is complete.  First, he needs to get his approval rating up – and, even someone as narcissistic as Trump has to realize that 34% in the first year is NOT GOOD and won’t be a good “firewall” against OBSTRUCTION of JUSTICE – or TREASON.  Despite Trump’s obvious issues, there’s areas where it’s undeniable that he’s “proficient.”

Take for example, manipulating the press.  His ability to do so, in my view, played a HUGE roll in his success in the election.  And, it appears he’s at it again with all this “love” of democrats.  In my view it’s his only chance once Mueller’s investigation is complete.  Trump’s attacks on republicans is not going to do him well as they get closer and closer to 2018 and members of Congress, especially in the House where IMPEACHMENT resides, realize he’s jeopardizing their own jobs.  Republicans in the House can IMPEACH Trump with NO help from the democrats.  However, to “convict” in the Senate they need democrats to support impeachment.  So far, though, republicans have had “Trump’s back.”  Here then is another Irony!  How about Trump catering to democrats as his “firewall” only to turn republicans more toward IMPEACHMENT?

Of course, democrats would risk losing their base if they failed to vote to “convict” but, I’m still guessing Trump is “thinking ahead” as he courts “Chuck and Nancy.”  I mean, Mike Pense is a similarly unpalatable option to true “progressives.”  (Actually, on occasion, I use the term “liberal”)  There are those who are considered “progressive” who appear totally susceptible to this Trump plan (if it really is one).  Today, I listened to Chuck Todd and Chris Matthews on MSNBC remind me of why they so frustrated me during the election.  Occasionally, I think they show a resemblance of common sense – but, then days like today show up.

Matthews so much wants “deals to be made” that I believe he’d willingly look past the TREASONOUS activities of Trump and his campaign.  Seriously, the “writing” is MORE than “on the wall.”  Look, I’m all for things “getting done” and I did find it interesting to hear Trump referring to “Chuck and Nancy,” but the Russian attack on our most fundamental value was, to me, an act of war.  It wouldn’t surprise me if all those “surprise” results in places like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina were the results of hacking of the voting machines.  I doubt we’ll ever know, because the machines are owned by republicans businesses (go figure) and, the investigation is elsewhere.

There’s NO DOUBT that the Russians invaded voter rolls, placed untold numbers of FAKE adds in strategically various places on publications like Facebook and Twitter, and were involved with the Trump campaign to a still undisclosed degree – all potentially swinging the election.  That was their intent and, recently, members of their government have been bragging about success – they think they were the reason Trump succeeded.  The question is do our members of Congress – republicans and democrats (this SHOULDN’T be a partisan issue) – have the stomach to actually defend our nation “come hell or high water.”  Obviously, Congress has abdicated its constitutional responsibility regarding war powers since 9/11.  It’s like they’re afraid to act.  Are they going to be afraid to act here – when we were ATTACKED by Russia?

Trump is busy defending himself in a myriad of ways – with this fantasy with democrats just being another attempt at manipulating the reality of the situation.  Recently, Trump’s supporters are on the attack (again) against James Comey – the FBI director FIRED by Trump in what Steve Bannon called the greatest BLUNDER in modern political history.  Now, Trump has Sarah Sanders (his press secretary sans Sean Spicer) violating protocol by suggesting the Department of Justice should be investigating Comey for his “illegal behavior.”  This, of course, is beyond outrageous.  NO ONE in the White House SHOULD be giving directions to the Justice Department.  But, Trump………………………

Consider that Trump has BERATED poor little Jeff Sessions on multiple occasions (reportedly asking for and then refusing his resignation) in a (successful) attempt to cause Sessions to feel his obligation is to Trump and NOT the Constitution.  Earth to anyone listening:  That is incredibly DANGEROUS to the fabric of this nation.  And, now Sanders is calling for investigations from the podium of the press secretary.  Again, totally inappropriate and incredibly dangerous.  Sarah Sanders, to me, is an example of those willing to LIE for Trump.  She is RUINING her future – from what I can tell – and, possibly, creating legal jeopardy for herself.  There’s a clear “conspiracy” to COVER UP the “Russia thing” going on in the White House, and, it appears to me, Ms. Sanders is a willing participant.  Sadly, LYING is apparently a requirement of working in this White House.

Final Thought:  I’m guessing that “Mitch and Paul” will not allow Trump to venture off on a true “love affair” with “Chuck and Nancy.”  Trump’s likely to regret his first “agreement” with “Chuck and Nancy” – despite the temporary “good press” when the issue jumps up again around Christmas time.  And, “Chuck and Nancy” will face EXTREME backlash from the “resistance” if they make a DACA agreement which includes “extreme border security” leading to mega deportations.  The reality of who Trump is no longer is secret.  “Chuck and Nancy” need to tread cautiously as they look for a bargain which would save the “Dreamers.”  Trust me, “Mitch and Paul” will have a LOT to say on what ANY agreement looks like.  And, in the end, it still appears to me that it’s likely Trump will be IMPEACHED.  (The more he works with “Chuck and Nancy” the more likely IMPEACHMENT becomes – I’m sure, as I’ve said “many times, many times,” conservative republicans have preferred Mike Pense to Trump since day one.

If you’ve read any of my posts you know that I believe Trump colluded with the Russians in order to win the last election – whether or not that was a “turning point” we’ll NEVER know – but, the reality, to me, is that COLLUDING with another government to interfere in our most fundamental privilege is TREASON.  So, I believe I’ve been very clear on that.  Additionally, I believe Trump to be TOTALLY incapable of handling the duties of being president – although, I’ve stated before that I never hope for a president to FAIL (as Republicans did to President Obama – in fact, they more than “hoped,” they tried to cause him to fail) so, wouldn’t it be ironic if Trump ended up “getting things done” by working with Democrats.

I tend to be on the side of letting republicans figure out how to govern while all eyes are watching.  I’ve always said they’re great at winning elections because they totally believe the “end justifies the means.”  Republican insiders have been the masters at “dirty tricks” for as long as I can remember.  (This stuff with Russia is beyond anything I would have imagined prior to Trump)  So far, republicans have proven those correct who’ve said all along they don’t know how to govern – because, so far, NOTHING’S been accomplished legislatively since Trump’s election.  And, RIGHT NOW there’s a LOT “on the table.”  (With the odd exception of this past week when Trump worked with democrats to pass a bill to “kick the can down the road” regarding the debt ceiling – a bill which appropriated about $15 BILLION for disaster relief that, ironically representatives from both Texas and Florida voted AGAINST!)

Yesterday, we were hearing about Steve Bannon’s “pact” with the so-called “Freedom Caucus” (ie Tea party members elected by those who were repulsed by the thought America could elect a Black President) to create a “Bloody September.”  While Hurricane Irma (the strongest on record) was heading straight toward Florida they were announcing there would be no help for those in Texas and Louisiana after Hurricane Harvey.  The idea that the government would be “shut down” and worse that republicans would not increase the debt limit causing the government to default – which could have devastating affects on everyone’s “bottom line” was going to be negotiating “chips” for right wing agenda items – like, for example, Trump’s “wall.”

Well, today, republicans are up in arms because Trump did the unthinkable to them – he actually talked to democrats and then WORSE he negotiated with them and agreement to “kick the can down the road” (as referenced above – typical DC solutions to problems) for three months – so, we can all be on the edge of our seats around Christmas time as to whether or not Congress will actually pass a budget and raise the debt ceiling in a way that ends that issue being a constant question mark to “we the people” and, more importantly, countries around the world who would be affected by a government default. (Reportedly, after I started writing this post, it was announced Trump is working with democrats on the idea to permanently remove the problem of the debt limit.  Wouldn’t that be ironic????!!!)

Obviously, republicans have constantly shown a distaste for any “dealings” with democrats.  Since the early days of Newt Gingrich they’ve been all about obstruction and division.  Earlier, we heard John McCain suggest it was time to return to “regular order” and now you have Trump working with Democrats – and, apparently rebuffing republicans in the same meeting.  What if, all of a sudden, republicans and democrats started working together to solve the health care crisis (in a way that wasn’t a hidden tax cut for the wealthy)?  What if they worked together to provide relief for the Hurricane victims?  (Irma very well may make Harvey look like the JV team – which could make the damage reach well over $100 BILLION)  Incredibly, what if tax reform was passed that actually was AIMED at the MIDDLE CLASS and not the top 1%?  OMG – would people actually start liking Trump?  Including democrats?

I have friends who I have breakfast with periodically and they support Trump.  My bet with one of them is that Trump will never be reelected – I’ve predicted he’ll be impeached as soon as republicans feel his “antics” are jeopardizing their own reelections.  I agreed with my friend that if the economy surges forward Trump will be safe (less the “Russia thing”) – but, today what’s going through my mind is what would happen if it was Trump who got Congress to work together – that is where republicans and democrats worked together to “get things done.”  I have this uneasy feeling that Trump’s “approval ratings” would climb rapidly if that happened.

What if Congress actually did immigration reform to permanently allow “Dreamers” to be part of this country and eventually to be citizens?  Would Trump be able to take credit for that?  Again, this would require republicans and democrats to work together.  I can only imagine the headlines at Breitbart.  Here’s another incredible thought going through my head.  Is it possible for Trump to work with Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to push us toward a Medicare for all solution to the health crisis – which would include the NEGOTIATING of drugs with “big pharma?”  I know I’m getting way ahead of myself – but, here’s the reality  as I see it.

For years “we the people” have been TOTALLY frustrated with Congress because they respond to their rich benefactors.  This has been no secret – and, it’s no secret that MOST of the rich benefactors have been BUYING republican politicians for years.  That’s how we got the STUPID “trickle down” (I call it “trickle up”) economic policy that has been foisted on us for the past 35+ years.  I really don’t expect Trump to move away from that, but what if he did?  What if he attempted to pass a budget that actually was going to reduce the deficit – or, as Clinton did, put us in a surplus that reduced the debt?  That would be un-republican, but, I can dream can’t I?

I could go on and on about the “what if’s” and, I know I’m being way too idealistic.  But, here’s what I do know.  Trump is the ultimate narcissist and, over the years of being a teacher you learn a lot about people.  Trump lives for the glowing reviews in the media.  He wants to be loved and he wants people to think he’s great.  The only way he can possibly do this is to work with democrats – and, I’ve not been one to suggest he’s totally stupid.  I’ve simply pointed out he has no understanding of how government works.  He does know how to understand failure and I don’t think he likes that feeling at all – and, with a republican party that is totally divided – the so-called “freedom caucus” doesn’t agree with anyone or anything thinking differently – Trump is apparently understanding there’s enough moderate republicans to make deals that work with democrats.  I find all of this INCREDIBLY IRONIC.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Trump makes my skin crawl.  The Access Hollywood tapes caused me to assume he’d be written off by the “party of family values.”  (They proved that’s the all time joke)  The collusion of Russia, in my view, is Treason.  And, the CONSTANT LYING is more than I can handle – as soon as I here Trump’s voice I have to change the station.  And, the people who (at least until he started working with “Chuck and Nancy” – I think those words turn their stomachs) support him on the airwaves like Hannity and Limbaugh must be going crazy.  I can’t make myself listen to them to find out.  But, as I process all these thoughts, there’s an even BIGGER irony.

What if, when Mueller makes his final report, and, as expected Trump and his campaign COLLUDED with the Russians AND, as seems obvious (at least to me) Trump OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE and republicans do the right thing and IMPEACH him – would the democrats block the conviction in the senate?  They’d have a choice – Trump or Pense – and, Pense turns my stomach almost MORE than Trump.  He’s been like a “puppy dog” following Trump around and CONFIRMING enough LIES that he should be impeached as well – but, then we’d have Ryan.  Could it be that Trump’s crazy like a fox?  This should all be interesting and, I have to admit, my imagination is getting the best of me.

However, I regularly meet with a friend of mine who is a lifelong republican (more like a libertarian) and bet me that Trump would win the election.  Of course, I lost the bet despite thinking there was no chance I’d lose.  So, I went double or nothing on his re-election – thinking Trump won’t even make it to the nomination.  I still believe he SHOULD be IMPEACHED, but, as many have said, we’re in uncharted territory as far as politics is concerned.  The bottom line for me is I want our leaders to work to improve the lives of the middle class and find solutions to the problems of “the least of these” in the words of Jesus Christ.  Example:  There’s hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans – to me, that’s a national disgrace.  Too many sick people can’t afford to go to the doctor.  Wages are too low for those at the “bottom” and too high for those at the “top.”  These, and many other issues, won’t be solved by idealogues in Congress – like the so-called “Freedom Caucus” which is, essentially, the “Tea party” who took over republican politics back in 2010.

Even my right wing friend agrees we’re all better off if politicians are working together without regard for political party – just focusing on the issues that help those in the middle class and those in need.  We see the way to do this quite differently, but when we dialogue we realize each of us grows.  We’d love to see that happen in our nation – and, believe me, Donald Trump is the last person I can see facilitating that to happen.  But who knows, this last agreement was palatable to me – we didn’t have to go to the “brink” to make sure America was good on it’s economic promises.  Right wing extremists were not allowed to hold “we the people” hostage for their extreme agenda.  The surprise – it was because of Trump.

Three months from now, who knows.  But, it should be interesting!

Today I’ve been reading and hearing about a letter composed by Trump and his incompetent “adviser” Stephen Miller (he of the infamous White Supremacist hand signals on the Sunday Morning talk shows) about FIRING James Comey, essentially, because of the “Russia thing.”  At the time, I had written that when Comey testified he was “nauseated” thinking he may have been the reason for Trump’s victory last November (this testimony was a few days prior to this letter – which is being called a “screed”) that Trump was going to be livid at those remarks.  I’m guessing, those comments along with the “Russia thing” was just too much for our narcissist in chief and he took the action that has created much MORE than the “Russia thing.”

A few thoughts immediately went through my head as I first heard and then read about this “screed.” (A “screed” is defined as: a “long piece of writing that is tedious”) First, the FACT that Stephen Miller is a “senior adviser” to the president just boggles my mind.  The KID is like 32 years old and he’s got NO experience in government to speak of.  I guess all you need to know about Miller is that he “broke in” working for Michelle Bauchmann and then “graduated” to Jeff Sessions.  That would explain the “hand signs” referred to above.  For Trump to rely on this KID for anything is beyond my imagination, but this particular piece of “advice” (firing Comey) may end up being the “straw that broke the camel’s back” as far as Trump’s presidency is concerned.   This was STUPID in so many ways and for so many people.  (Honestly, to have an angry 32 year old KID as a “senior adviser” in the White House is STUPID in and of itself)

Do you know what a conspiracy is?  Well, it’s defined as:  “A criminal conspiracy exists when two or more people agree to commit almost any unlawful act, then take some action toward its completion. The action taken need not itself be a crime, but it must indicate that those involved in the conspiracy knew of the plan and intended to break the law. One person may be charged with and convicted of both conspiracy and the underlying crime based on the same circumstances.  Well, thanks to Miller’s (and, supposedly, Jared Kushner’s and his wife Ivanka) STUPID advice many people in Trump’s administration need to be, as the saying goes, lawyering up.  This doesn’t look good for a bunch of them.

Here’s the reality of the situation.  It’s looking more likely every day that Trump is going to be accused, by Robert Mueller, of “obstructing justice.”  Obviously, Trump’s trying to BLOCK the “Russia Investigation.” Now, because he’s president, I believe it’s up to our republican Congress to do something about it – while Fox “news” is busy telling everyone “COLLUDING” isn’t a crime (although, some people refer to it as “treason”) obstruction of justice CLEARLY is a crime.  Sooooooo, as virtually all Trump’s surrogates in the White House were being read into this “screed” they all became at minimum “witnesses” and at maximum “co- conspirators” to the CRIME of OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.  This is a VERY naughty thing to do – even for someone like Trump who sometimes reminds me of my sixth grade students.  (the bullies)

Let’s look at who is vulnerable.  And, let’s start with the Vice President, Mike Pense.  He was briefed on and was clearly “read into” this “screed” that would have been sent to Comey except for the wisdom of Trump’s White House counsel (I believe his name is) Don McGahn.  Others who were part of this “conspiracy” – simply by listening to the letter being read to them and then LYING about why Comey was fired OR not reporting this “obstruction” to the investigators would include Kellyanne Conway, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sean Spicer, McGahn himself, and who knows who else was in the Oval Office when the letter was read.  (Well, I believe Mueller probably knows)

Those who, the next day after Comey was fired, took to the airwaves – well, went out in force to LIE to the TV cameras that Comey was fired because of the recommendation of Rod Rosenstein ALL  potentially became part of this conspiracy to OBSTRUCT JUSTICE.  Pense, was the leading LIAR on that day as they ALL were making the Rosenstein claims. I heard him, myself, on at least three or four different occasions make the claim.  I heard Spicer, Conway, and Sanders (she was new on the scene at that point in time as I remember) also claiming that Comey was fired because of Rosenstein’s recommendation.  We all know these people routinely LIE for the president, but when you do it to OBSTRUCT Justice, it gets WAY more serious!  (That is, of course, if people in the “White House” are actually subject to the same laws you and I would be held accountable for)

Of course, a day later, Trump met ON TV with Lestor Holt (it gets STUPIDER AND STUPIDER), and after sending ALL of his surrogates out with the Rosenstein excuse the day before, he ADMITTED why he ACTUALLY fired Comey;  It was because of the “Russia thing.”  Now that Mueller has that “screed” ALL these people are POTENTIALLY in big trouble.  We’re all about to find out whether or not our judicial system is still based on the “rule of law” as the “screed” and Trump and his surrogates’ actions will obviously come into question.  I’m sure Fox “news” and the right wing talkers are rationalizing all this as I’m writing.  (The thought occasionally pierces my brain that what would all these republicans be saying if Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama did this kind of stuff? – of course, then I remember, they’re still blaming Obama for anything that goes wrong.)

What SHOULD happen?  Lets start with Pense.  “Theoretically,” Pense SHOULD be IMPEACHED right along with Trump, but it likely will never happen.  First of all, it will be a miracle if the REPUBLICAN Congress “grows a pair” and actually IMPEACHES Trump.  It would be too much to expect them to IMPEACH both the President and Vice President (that would, of course, make Paul Ryan President – so, maybe……..).  However, the REALITY is that Trump has been caught in OVER 1000 Verifiable LIES since taking the OATH of office, and Pense has shown an uncanny willingness to act like a “puppy dog” as he follows Trump around corroborating Trump’s LIES.  It really is DISGUSTING – whether they’re IMPEACHED or not.  (I felt an odd sense of disgust as I wrote the word “oath” above – it’s like, would there be any “oath” Trump might aspire to???)

Sean Spicer “resigned” and is no longer in the “White House” – BUT, sadly (I kind of always felt bad for him – being forced to LIE to save his job – but, we all have to make choices, don’t we?) he was part of the conspiracy.  Maybe Mueller will take pity on him by thinking he’s “suffered enough” by taking Trump’s rage for around 6 months.  However, he needs a lawyer – I’m certain (who knows, he might now start telling the TRUTH – novel thought).

Kellyanne Conway has pretty much been ignored by anyone in the media but the right wing outlets due to the PROLIFIC amount of LYING she’s been doing on Trump’s behalf, really since BEFORE he took his “oath.” (I felt better putting it in quotes)  She pushed the LIE about the reason Comey was fired, therefore, she needs a lawyer (Lucky Kellyanne – I believe her husband is a lawyer)  Sarah Huckabee Sanders came on the scene around this time as I remember.  She likely needs a lawyer (and, as the conspiracy grows, she gets in deeper and deeper).  I hope you get my point.  Many people in the White House (I didn’t mention Reince Preibus – he needs a lawyer – but, like Spicer, I have this feeling he might actually tell the TRUTH to Mueller in return for leniency)

I purposely didn’t mention Miller or Steve Bannon or Sebastian Gorka because there’s no question they’ll continue LYING for Trump.  (I believe they think Trump can do whatever he “damn well pleases” and any investigation is a left wing joke)  As far as continuing the conspiracy, I think, they believe they can do more to push the right wing “White Nationalist” movement from their positions at Breitbart.  However, they are ALL part of this conspiracy and it will be interesting how Mueller goes after them.

In my mind, Bannon is probably smart enough to have opposed firing Comey – “rumors” have it that it was Jared Kushner at the head of those wanting him “gone.”  Of course, Miller helped write the “screed” so, he needs a lawyer.  (One more thing – Don McGahn – White House counsel – I don’t believe – gets “lawyer – client” privilege, so he may need a lawyer – unless, of course, he’s the one who gave the “screed” to Mueller.  That’s highly unlikely – rumors have it that Rosenstein was the one who did “the right thing under the law” and gave it to Mueller.  Regarding Bannon, if he was “read into” the “screed” and failed to report it to the authorities, he’s in need of a lawyer.  Obviously, in Miller’s case, he helped write the darn thing – he REALLY needs a lawyer.

If you remember Watergate, it was ALL those around Nixon who participated in the coverup that ended up going to jail.  Of course, Gerald Ford (stupidly) pardoned Nixon before anyone accused him of a crime – which may or may not have happened.  But, all Nixon’s surrogates ended up in jail.  “Trumpgagte” is looking a lot like Watergate – except for the FACT we have a Congress full of TOTAL partisans.  At this point it’s a “will they or won’t they” as far as republicans willing to hold Trump accountable to the law.  Trump, of course, thinks he’s above the law, and he’s poised to use the “pardon” powers he has as many times as necessary to protect him from Mueller.  (I think there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to protect himself from Mueller – the only reason he hasn’t fired Mueller is because republicans “drew a red line” on that one.  I don’t believe he can pardon himself out of this mess.

One final thought.  Obviously, republicans are AFRAID to act regarding all the issues Trump has put right before their eyes.  He’s ALREADY committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” simply by keeping his business interests and violating the emoluments clause of the constitution.  Had that been President Obama republicans would be waving their pocket constitutions all over the place.  For some reason they really FEAR Trump.  Clearly, they don’t like him, he’s not helping them get anything done and he’s set them up to be blamed everytime something doesn’t work right.  When he speaks he blasts the media and the Congress – both republicans and democrats.  NOTHING is ever Trump’s fault, in Trump’s narcissistic mind.  Sooner or later, republicans will figure this out.  I said when Trump was elected they (republicans) wouldn’t do “the right thing” until their own jobs are in jeopardy.  That still appears to be the case.

Well, the topic of conversation in Washington DC has shifted to “tax relief” or “tax reform” depending on who you’re listening to.  While, in my view, the conversation should be ONLY on Hurricane Harvey, at this point, let’s just deal with the reality of Trump at this point.  He did spend a couple hours in Texas marveling at the size of the crowds, but we know what’s on his mind.  He wants to FINALLY be able to BRAG about accomplishing something.  And, there’s something else that’s obvious.  He’s got everything set up so that if Congress produces something he’ll take the CREDIT and if, as is likely to happen, “tax reform” either gets stalled or doesn’t make it through Congress they’ll get all the BLAME.  That’s one thing Trump is really good at!

So I can BRAG that you “heard it here first” I’m going to tell you what will happen if something actually gets through Congress.  First, it won’t be “tax reform” – that’s way to complicated to expect to happen in any time frame that would keep Trump from wearing out his “Twitter” account and further embarrassing anyone who’s a true blue American.  If they pass anything it will be a “Tax cut” and MOST OF IT will go to the infamous 1%.  That is, those making MILLIONS will get a tax cut they don’t need in the tens to hundreds of thousands depending on how rich they really are.  Those of us in the so-called “Middle Class” will find a way to pay at least as much as we pay now, or like in the days of Reagan, they’ll figure out creative ways to make it so the “Middle Class” pays more. “We the people” just won’t understand it until way later – at which time we’ll get mad again and republicans will find a way to BLAME democrats and too many of us will believe them – because too many of us watch Fox “news.”  This is another in a long line of “deja vu’s all over agains” since the days of Reagan.

Will democrats be able to stop them?  I don’t know.  Something tells me that if their “tax reform” increases the deficit it’s got to get 60 votes – which may explain why Trump was in Missouri telling voters there that if Claire McCaskill votes against the bill they should vote her out of office.  (And, of course, adding the McCaskill jab into his speech may have violated the Hatch Act – but, as we all know by now, the laws don’t apply to Trump)  At some point in America’s history “we the people” will STOP falling for the “trickle down” theory of economics republicans have been using since the days of Reagan to pillage hard working American’s taxes.  For some of the wealthy, it appears there’s no limit to what’s “enough.”  (For example, Wall Street is probably 1500 to 2000 point too high on the Dow in anticipation of a huge tax cut for the “rich”)

Do you think the question of whether or not we all should be wanting our government to send “boatloads” of money (pun intended) to help out those in Texas who’ll surely be needing to rebuild their homes and pay for extended periods where they can’t stay in their homes – not to mention all the businesses that must be experiencing unbelievable amounts of damage – instead of cutting taxes at this point in time will come up?  How do you think, for example, Ted Cruz will feel about that?  (Do you remember him during the “Sandy” crisis?)  How are all the “deficit hawks” in the “Tea party” who don’t believe in “big government” going to react to this dilemma?

What is the dilemma, you ask?  Well if we’re going to actually “balance the budget” have any of  these republicans figured out that every tax cut (except ones where the money goes to people who are actually going to spend the money) has caused the deficit to get WORSE.  Trust me, this won’t be any different!  (Here’s the main question: will they still be able to blame Obama for the deficits?)  Trump wants to cut FEMA, by the way, by 11% – how is that going to work with the damage to “Harvey” still to be determined?  Additionally, he wants to cut the State Department by 30% – does that tell you how serious he really is regarding diplomacy with North Korea?  They even want to cut school lunches for kids in poverty!  All, so they and their rich buddies can get even more money!  (I spent the last 23 years of my working life teaching in a high poverty middle school and I can attest that for many of the students school was where they got their food!)

Here’s something very few people I’ve heard are even talking about.  These hurricanes get their energy from the water underneath them.  As the temperature of the water rises the hurricanes generate more energy – for example “Katrina” during the Bush administration and “Harvey” now.  Harvey wasn’t even a “hurricane” a matter of a week or two before it started gaining “steam.”  The reality for all the climate change deniers is that the additional 2 degrees (or more) in temperature in the gulf waters makes a huge difference in the power of the storm.  Just one day prior to landfall “Harvey” was category “2” and within one day it hit landfall with winds around 160 mph – category “4.”  What’s the old saying? “More to come.”

Honestly, I’m praying for the people of Texas.  I’ve donated (a small amount) to the Red Cross and will likely donate more as I can while this all plays out.  But, our “leaders” need to wake up.  As I’ve said many times, republicans are masters at getting “we the people” to be arguing amongst ourselves over the so-called “wedge issues” while they continue the greatest heist in the history of mankind – one tax cut for the rich after another.  Dick Cheney defended the two outrageous tax cuts that took our only (in my lifetime) surplus and turned it into a massive deficit by saying “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  The only question I have this time is “what phony LIE will Trump use to defend his pilfering of the middle class?”

And, of course, we all know by now that if Trump’s lips are moving, he’s LYING.  It was reported by one of the very popular websites or newspapers that Trump refers to as “failing” of “fake news” that in his first 200+ days in office he had committed over 1000 VERIFIABLE LIES!  For all you who say, “all politicians LIE” – there’s been no one who comes even close to this.  Now, of course, if you start considering people like Sean Hannity and others on Fox “news” and right wing “talkers” on the radio airwaves like Rush Limbaugh, you might think Trump is normal.  But, for the rest of us, this is – well, lots of terms come to mind – like “shocking,” “disgusting,” “deplorable,” “terrible,” “alarming,” “disgraceful,” and I could go on (and on).

Here’s the bottom line for me.  I hope “we the people” put the welfare of the people of Texas – including, I guess, Ted Cruz, ahead of ANY talk of “tax relief” or “tax reform.”  Whatever it takes, we should all stand together on this.  And, believe me, I understand that MANY of the people who’ve been devastated by this hurricane think much differently than myself – I mean, they voted Ted Cruz into office.  I’ve stated many times on this site that I believe a significant portion of those who vote for republicans do so because of their strong anti- abortion beliefs.  To me, that one is as much on democrats for making them unwelcome as to republicans who use that issue to allow themselves to pursue issues those people would NEVER support if they actually knew what they were voting for.  What I’m saying is they’re good Americans and we need to band together at times like these.

The pictures and videos I’ve seen regarding “Harvey” range from devastating to heartwarming.  Clearly, the damage is devastating and you have to feel for the people who are losing virtually EVERYTHING they’ve worked hard to earn over who knows how many years.  The heartwarming part is the amazing people who are relentlessly working to save lives, to get people to shelters, to do whatever they can to make some kind of a difference in a terrible circumstance for those affected by the hurricane.  And, the so-called “fake media” people who appeared to me to be risking their own safety to keep the rest of us informed – they’ve been amazing.

The bottom line though, is that “we the people” need to keep our focus on what’s happening in Washington DC.  Bush/Cheney used the 9/11 crisis to legitimize their invasion of Iraq that continues to haunt our nation and the world to this day.  If you’ve read Natalie Klein’s book “The Shock Doctrine” you know that they do their worst “business” during times of crisis.  Those who call themselves the “resistance” need to be resolute right now – because, just as Trump pardoned “Sheriff Joe” as this hurricane was hitting landfall, he’s likely to try to slip in this “tax reform” while the rest of us are figuring out how to help the victims of “Harvey.”

And, let me say this again – and, yes, it’s a prediction – any “tax reform” coming out of Washington DC will include MASSIVE benefits for those in the 1% (I believe that would include those with incomes in excess of $600,00 per year) and subtle changes to the tax code that actually raises taxes on those of us in the “middle class.”  Reagan did this, Bush/Cheney did this and why would you expect anything different now?’

Oh yes, one final thing.  They’ll (of course, that means republicans) claim that by giving hundreds of millions to the top 1% it will “trickle down” and we’ll all have better jobs that pay more.  If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge…………..  There’s a reason I’ve always called it “trickle up” economics – and, that’s EXACTLY how it’s played out.  But, people like Trump keep pushing it because it’s worked since the 80’s and, what’s the old saying?  “Don’t beat a dead horse”  If “we the people” keep falling for their NONSENSE then why wouldn’t they keep doing it.  They’re getting richer and richer and we keep complaining because things seem stagnant – and, then we – well, enough of us for them to keep doing this – keep falling for their BS.  (Trump will gain from the tax cuts, and, undoubtedly, there will be another push to repeal the estate tax.  How much would Trump’s family gain on that one?)

The old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me” comes into play here.  (Interestingly, GW Bush couldn’t mouth this saying correctly, but he still pulled off a massive heist of middle class taxes directly to his benefactors – fooling us for the second time – Reagan, of course, being the first)  So, if “we the people” fall for Trump’s proposed “tax reform” it’s “shame on us” – because this will be the third time we’ve been “fooled” since Reagan.  At some point we’ll ALL figure out that “trickle down” really means “trickle up” and, that if we really want a “balanced budget” massive tax cuts won’t get us there.  (Unless, of course, you’re willing to eliminate a HUGE portion of our military industrial complex that Dwight Eisenhower prophetically warned us about in the 1950’s.  Republicans say, “we can’t be the policemen of the world” and then ask for a $60 BILLION increase in defense spending)

I’ve got to add that I’m not opposed to true “tax reform.” If you “get” I don’t trust Trump to do it, you would be ABSOLUTELY correct!  (I don’t trust him to do anything – actually, I don’t think he should be ALLOWED to do anything until the “Russia thing” is finished.  Anyone COLLUDING with the Russians to get elected should NOT be an office holder in this nation – PERIOD!)  Tax reform that actually put more money in the pockets of middle class Americans would at least infuse money back into the economy.  However, to me, a better solution to many economic problems in America would be solved via “single payer health care.”  That would, of course, require working Americans to pay taxes to pay for it, but it would solve the most serious problem we face (which republicans have been blocking since WW II).  At some point I’ll write a complete post on this – but suffice it to say that I believe many Americans who have a medical “benefit” as part of their work “package” would actually pay less if this happened.  As Trump himself figured out – health care is complicated – but, at some point in time, America will HAVE to deal with the health care crisis in a way that works for all Americans – even “the least of these.”  (sorry “conservatives”)  And, the solution just may fix many other problems as well!

Over the years as I’ve been busy lambasting republicans for all their hypocritical political disasters I’ve also blasted democrats for being “spineless.”  The 2014 mid terms are still fresh in my memory when democrats showed they didn’t have the guts to defend their own fundamental values against the propaganda media blitzing they’d been receiving from republicans and their benefactors since President Obama’s election.  They were AFRAID to defend the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”), they succumbed to republican attacks against “liberals” (as if the honorable “moniker” for a politician was “conservative” – whatever that means), and they completely shied away from Obama during the campaign.  The result was a massive republican takeover of Congress as so many of their traditional “base” stayed home.

Well, now republicans are “in control,” and they’ve got Donald Trump in the “White House.”  Their “Tea party” faction pretty much controls the House and they’re being forced to live with those they aligned with as a way to fight back against our first African American president.  So, they have a president you’d think they could actually govern with because he’s supposedly a “republican.”  However, we all know Donald Trump aligns with NO one but himself (except, for possibly, the so-called “Alt Right”) – he’s the ultimate NARCISSIST, a pathological LIAR, he likely COLLUDED with the Russians to get elected, and he’s incompetent when it comes to governing – and many “republicans” are trying to figure out how to deal with him.

More and more republicans are coming out with comments that would suggest they “get” the DAMAGE Trump is  causing to this great nation.  The problem is that they are COWERING regarding what they are going to do about it.  Trump is attacking virtually EVERY republican leader in Congress – by NAME (that’s unusual, isn’t it?) – and recent reports have said he has ZERO support in Congress – which would indicate NO republicans support him.  So, what seems to be the obvious solution to the problem? – of course it’s IMPEACHMENT!

Well, today I listened to former republican senator from Missouri Thomas Eagleton point out all of Trump’s issues (accurately, from my perspective) and then confirm to Chuck Todd (he was on Todd’s daily “Meet the Press” show) members of Congress probably won’t do anything about Trump because they fear his “base.”  It was suggested by Todd that Trump is more popular than the members of Congress.  (which is hard for me to believe knowing how UNPOPULAR Trump has become)  But, the reality is that republicans are giving the word “coward” new meaning.  For heaven’s sake – our country is on the line here!

Yes, Congress, as a whole, is very unpopular, but MOST members are more popular than Trump’s 34% approval rating in their own districts  I have to think.  However, they seem to be cowering from a potential primary opponent – funded by I can’t imagine who.  I understood the Koch brothers funding primary opponents back in the early days of the “Tea party,” but, after reading the book “Son’s of Wichita” I find it hard to believe the Koch’s are Trump supporters – although, that’s certainly possible (they’ll support anyone who pushes their polluting agenda, so, Trump might actually “be their man”).  The bottom line here is that the republicans in Congress are proving to be more TIMID (or should I say cowardly) than the democrats of the recent past.  And, believe me, that’s a hard “mountain” to climb.

Republicans appear to want to FORCE “we the people” to KICK them out of their majorities so that the democrats can deal with Trump (and, believe me, I’m not brimming with confidence on that possibility, either).  What – I hate to use this word, but it’s totally accurate – pissed me off as I listened to Eagleton was, after he made total sense about his dissatisfaction with Trump and why he’s dissatisfied, he characterized democrats as “obstructionists” in explaining why nothing will get done in Congress.  After I calmed down I thought, “Was his head in the sand during the eight years of President Obama?”  Republicans not only took obstruction to record levels, they were not “secret” about it.  Mitch McConnell himself stated, “our number one goal is that President Obama be a one term president.”  Others, like Limbaugh were constantly claiming the republicans number one goal was that President Obama would FAIL.

After they failed to make Obama a one term president the obstruction continued – to the tune of almost 700 FILIBUSTERS.  Now we have Trump lambasting McConnell for not getting rid of the FILIBUSTER in the Senate so they can push their unpopular agenda.  (although, in their only meaningful attempt at legislating they couldn’t even get a majority of republicans to vote for their tax cut disguised as a health care bill)  McConnell did so in regard to Trump’s Supreme Court nominee (who’s already shown himself to be a political partisan) but I don’t think he’s willing to modify the FILIBUSTER rules any more – mainly because he’s had much experience at being in the minority and he want’s that “tool” at his “hand” in case democrats retake the Senate – which is just a matter of time.

In reality, the filibuster FORCES democrats and republicans to work TOGETHER in order to fashion workable legislation – something many younger Americans have never seen.  Republicans have been playing the “obstruction” card since Newt Gingrich joined the House of Representatives.  They can’t govern, but they sure can put a “monkey wrench” in to stop those who can.  John McCain, as he cast the deciding vote defeating “Trumpcare,” was – at the same time – lamenting for the Senate to return to “regular order.”  That is where the two parties worked together to pass legislation.  There was a day when 60 vote majorities were achieved all the time.  Of course, it required what people like Gingrich have managed to get defined as a “dirty word” – COMPROMISE.

I believe politicians like McConnell are smart enough to see the “headwinds.”  America is changing color and, yes, people like Trump (and probably McConnell himself) don’t like this – they’re doing everything in their power to keep “white privilege” as the “order of the day.”  (kind of reminds me of South Africa as apartheid was coming to a close)  However, republicans are facing some real dilemmas.  The first one is are they going to actually allow Trump to commandeer their party?  If that’s the case, I give them about 3 1/2 years to be relevant.  (unless democrats gain enough seats to impeach Trump in the 2018 mid term election)  At the rate we’re going,despite the possibility of democrats gaining control of Congress in 2019,  Trump won’t last the full 3 1/2 years he’s got left – he’ll likely be impeached once Mueller’s investigation is complete (although, again, we’re relying on republicans – even after 2018 because it takes a 2/3 majority in the Senate to “convict” – but, whether he’s impeached, or not, republicans are allowing their “stamp of approval” to be put on Trump every day he remains in office.  More and more republicans are becoming the “swamp” Trump said he would “drain.”

People the world over are watching in shock that this could happen, and then continue, in America.  Seemingly, every day, there’s more reason for Trump to be IMPEACHED.  Last week, as people in Texas were bracing for a “hundred year storm and flooding” Trump attempted to “sneak” the pardon of “Sheriff Joe” – the reviled Sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona who bragged about running his jail as a “concentration camp.”  (For some reason, that appeals to Trump)  Additionally, Arpaio (Sheriff Joe) was on the front lines of Trump’s “birther” movement – just like Trump an avowed racist – which, right after Charlottesville, is sending an undeniable message to America and the world.

If “we the people” don’t purge our nation of this evil in the next election (assuming Mueller isn’t finished with his investigation) we deserve what is likely to happen regarding our standing in the world.  Trump is already threatening to shut the government down over his wall that “Mexico will pay for.”  Evidently, Trump wants to “borrow” the money from “we the people” first and then pay us back when Mexico finally coughs up the “dough.”  I’m not holding my breath and I suggest you don’t either.  Here’s the big question:  “Will Trump (and the “tea party” republicans) play fast and loose with the debt ceiling?  That’s the really dangerous one that could lead to DISASTER in our dealings with the rest of the world.  This all will happen in the next month and could be a man made disaster that compares with Hurricane Harvey.

The bottom line is that people who don’t call Trump their president, who can’t stand the sound of his words, who actually DO have a moral compass and are repulsed at having an admitted sexual predator, a pathological LIAR, a NARCISSIST of the highest order, someone who’s deluded, and someone who doesn’t understand American History as president, they (we) are dependent on republicans to come to the rescue.  Trump SHOULD be impeached, but republicans are showing a cowardice that actually makes democrats seem assertive.  I’ve always said, the problem with democrats is lack of conviction, but today’s republicans are making democrats look like the towers of virtue!

Yesterday I was driving around listening to political “talk” on MSNBC and, of course, the conversations were focused on our deranged president.  Unfortunately, what was missing in almost every commentary was that pretty much every thing coming from Trump’s mouth is a LIE!  I mean, I realize this is no secret – a recent article pointed out Trump is now over 1000 verifiable LIES since he took the “oath” of office, but he outdid himself in Phoenix last week.  I put “oath” in quotes because anyone who’s listened to Trump with an objective ear has to understand the gravity of having someone worse than a pathological LIAR in the “White House.”

The reason I say he’s worse than a pathological LIAR comes from watching him recently as he  was LYING to a crowd of “low information voters” in Phoenix – people who willingly accept the LYING as OK.  (Evidently, about 30% of Americans fall into that category – Yikes!!!)  In Phoenix, Trump was attempting to make the point that he’s not a racist (anyone who’s followed him over the past 8 years knows differently – he led the “birther” stupidity – but, it gets worse if you check out his history as a landlord in New York) by recounting his comments right after the violence recently in Charlottesville where people protesting the “Alt Right” clashed with a group who had, the night before, carried Tiki Torches through the campus of the University of Virginia.

So, Trump pulls a piece of paper from his lapel pocket and says it has the EXACT words he spoke on that Saturday.  He proceeded to read them and stirred up the crowd claiming the media was “dishonest” and claiming the media is “fake” because they failed to acknowledge his condemnation of “The KKK, Neo-Nazi’s and White Supremacists.”  Of course, as he read the remarks he made that day he LEFT OUT the phrase that got him in so much trouble with the media which, quite honestly, has been giving his racism a “pass” for quite some time.  (I’ll comment about the racism later)  What Trump didn’t include in his speech in Phoenix were the words “On many sides, many sides.”  Those were the words the media was focused on (and MILLIONS of the rest of us who deplore the KKK, the Skinheads, the Neo-Nazi’s, etc.) and, those were the words that Trump said in an attempt to placate “both sides.”  Meaning, he didn’t want to offend people like David Duke, Richard Spencer, and, of course, in his own administration (at that time) Steve Bannon.  (Duke, afterward, actually thanked Trump for his “honest” remarks)

Trump’s problem is he can’t have it both ways.  David Duke was correct when he pointed out to Trump that the “Alt Right” is the reason he got elected.  Trump was in an impossible situation after the violence unless he really had a moral foundation – which, if you’ve followed him at all, you already knew he doesn’t.  In this instance, “we the people” would (and do) expect our leaders to condemn ANYTHING that relates back to the Nazi’s.  Seeing young Americans walking with Tiki Torches and carrying flags with swastikas on them is nauseating.  Listening to their leaders claiming they’re at war with our government should raise the hair on people’s backs (actually, it’s seditious – but, with Jeff Sessions as Attorney General there is little chance they’ll be held to account for their claims).  Listening to our president repeatedly try to pledge “allegiance” to “BOTH SIDES” is sickening.

And, the way Trump did it in Phoenix was even more sickening.  For example, when I watch someone who’s pathologically LYING I’m thinking this is some kind of mental disease.  I’m thinking he’s LIED so much that he actually believes his LIES are true when they’re coming out of his mouth (kind of similar to people like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity – who many in the Phoenix audience likely listen to for their “education”) but, the LIES are done without fore thought.  That’s scary knowing he’s the president and has the codes to the nuclear arsenal – but, in Phoenix, Trump showed that he’s even worse than that!  When he pulled that piece of paper from his pocket and told the crowd “these were my exact words” and then LEFT OUT the words that got him in trouble – well, that was not the LYING of someone who’s pathological (although he is).  That was PREMEDITATED LYING!

I’m not sure what was more deplorable to me – Trump’s PREMEDITATED LYING or the willingness of the crowd to accept it.  They roared their approval as Trump went into his “it’s the media that’s the problem” ranting.  He “ginned” them up as someone we could now call “the divider in chief.”  In one breath Trump suggested the media is the reason America is divided and, in the next breath, he began his attacks on ANYONE who even hints at disagreeing with him.  Trump is a very disgusting person.  He attacked John McCain and Jeff Flake the two REPUBLICAN Senators from Arizona.  Now, I’m not a fan of McCain’s (other than his vote to stop “Trumpcare”) and know little about Flake, but to have a sitting president go to the state of two Senators of his own “party” and attacking them was astonishing.  Trump’s attacks pretty much were aimed at the 67% of Americans who DON’T support him.

Shortly after his Phoenix fiasco I heard that Trump has support from NONE of the members of the United States Senate.  While that is astonishing on its own merits, it kind of makes you wonder why these Senators with an “R” before their name continue to operate in silence – for the most part.  I guess they’re waiting for Robert Mueller to come out with the “truth” as it relates to the “Russia thing” before they proceed with any action to save “we the people” from Trump.  Kind of ironic isn’t it?  Remember, it was the now deposed head of the FBI James Comey who essentially put Trump into the “White House.”  Could it be the man who was put in place because Trump fired Comey who could give us the mechanism to end this national nightmare?  We can only hope.  (Obviously, republicans will not act until they have even more of a reason than they already have to “oust” the most unpopular president in modern United States history)

To make it all worse (at least for me) the crowd was filled with a bunch of white people with @#^t eating grins on their faces, but Trump had ONE  Black guy who kept flashing his “Blacks for Trump” sign strategically placed almost within arms length of Trump and perfectly so the cameras were almost as focused on him as on Trump.  I’ve seen the guy before and always wonder if he’s a paid “plant” or just someone a bit unhinged?   I have to admit my skepticism – just being honest as I can here – I wondered how did that guy get in that place.  And, I’m still wondering that. although when you “google” it, there’s lots of information.  I guess it always appears to me the guy’s sign should read “Black for Trump” because he’s always the only person who’s not white in Trump’s audience that I can see – and, obviously, I can only stomach small portions of Trump’s words before I turn off the TV or change the channel so maybe there’s others.  (Of course, for some reason, Trump had Ben Carson there for a cameo at the beginning of his speech)  I guess the guy with the “Blacks for Trump” sign didn’t care about Trump’s defense of the KKK.

Again, my point here is that Trump’s pulling a “prop” from his lapel pocket to make it appear his next LIE is the truth is a new low!  How many of his previous LIES were thought out ahead of time?  Is he truly pathological or does he plan out all the LIES willingly and purposefully?  As I’m sitting here writing I can’t help but wonder, “which is worse?”  A pathological LIAR is, to me, disgusting.  But, premeditated?  I really think that’s even worse.  Either way, our president is a LIAR of proportions no politician I can remember even comes close to.  So, do you believe him when he says, “no one colluded with the Russians?”  I hope not, because you can’t believe ANYTHING he says.  To the republicans in Congress: It’s up to you to solve this problem.  You will bear the results of your actions regarding Trump’s future in the “White House” in the history books one way or the other.  I would think you’d want to save “we the people” from this disgusting man.  (Obviously, the “battle” with his supporters will happen either way and it’s not going to be “pretty.”  Let’s get this over with!)

I watched as much of Trump’s speech in Arizona as I could stomach and I listened to interviews with Arizonan’s afterward and I have to reconfirm my belief that there’s a lot of “low information voters” in America and they are an easy target for someone like Trump.  Trump stood on the stage and, as he ALWAYS does, spewed out a series of LIES that the people in the audience absorbed like a sponge absorbs water.  Listening to some of them (the audience) after the event and the only word that came to mind was STUPID.  I feel terrible writing that, but that was EXACTLY the response I felt listening to them.

Here’s what I believe the reality in America has come to.  A significant portion of our population has been “educated” by Fox “news,” and people like Rush Limbaugh.  They’ve pushed the “white privilege” philosophy very surreptitiously under the guise of “fair and balanced” – well, that’s Fox’s mantra – I’d have to say people like Limbaugh are unadulterated LIARS who aren’t very subtle at all.  They’ve all been proponents of Goebbels’ “Big Lie Theory” for years and you can see the results listening to the people who were at Trump’s rally and actually believed words they SHOULD have known were false.  Somehow these people actually believe they’re “conservatives.”  Yikes!

For example, when Trump edited out the words “On many sides, many sides” from his defense of the comments he made after the Charlottesville incident and then attacked the “media” for its reporting of his actual remarks equating Neo-Nazi’s and KKK members with the people who were the “counter protesters,” the audience SHOULD have recognized the LIE.  What was really egregious to me about that LIE was its origin.  It was preconceived.  It was of the most dastardly type of LIE.  Trump planned it ahead of time.  He actually pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket that he said had the “actual words I said on Saturday.”  Then, he proceeded to read all his words EXCEPT the words that got him rebuked by every American who is opposed to white supremacists and white separatists – “on many sides, many sides.”

The people in the audience SHOULD have recognized the LIE.  But either they’re willing recipients of Trump’s LYING (he told many other LIES during the speech, but that, unfortunately, is just “par for the course”) or they’re the VICTIMS of being the “ditto heads” who listen to Limbaugh (think about that, Limbaugh’s audience willingly refer to themselves as ditto heads)  or the “low information voters” who watch Fox “news.”  I have friends, who supported Trump, who get defensive when I suggest to them they’re getting their information on Fox.  They fully believe Sean Hannity would never LIE to them.  They believe the people on Fox are simply “conservatives.”  Not one has EVER fact checked ANYTHING they’ve heard on Fox.  They’ve been BRAINWASHED and they are not even suspecting.  I offered a book, Conscience of a Conservative, for one of them to read and he declined.  The truth is he can barely read anything.

On the one hand Trump tries to come across as someone urging “we the people” to “love each other” and he makes, occasionally, pleas for unity in America – and, then in the next breath he starts attacking people.  And, his “attacking” is in the most deplorable manner I can imagine.  I watched last night as he referred to George Stephanopoulus as “little George” and while he was doing this he took his right arm and pushed it toward the ground as if Stephanopoulos was about as tall as his knee.  Kind of reminded me of when Trump went after the reporter who was suffering from a disabling disease.  Trump has no boundaries for his reprehensible actions.  And, most were on display in Phoenix last night.

Of course, Trump’s attempt at demeaning Stephanopoulos was just part of his attacks on virtually EVERY aspect of our “fourth estate” – the media which is responsible for providing “we the people” with the TRUTH about what our government is up to.  And, THANK GOD for the media, because without them we’d have no idea what the Russians were up to and we’d NEVER know if Trump or his surrogates COLLUDED with the Russians during the campaign.  (I have this terribly eery feeling it’s still happening)  Trump praises anyone who complements him and attacks anyone who disagrees with him.  Think of how that translates into actually governing.  I believe that mentality is why Trump NEVER criticizes Vladimir Putin – I believe he’s envious of Putin and Putin’s ability to control EVERYTHING.  I’ve been pointing out Trump’s AUTHORITARIAN tendencies since the beginning of his campaign for an office I thought he’d never get and he continues to confirm my instincts.

Obviously, the number of Americans susceptible to this type of BRAINWASHING was well beyond my estimates.  I certainly understood that after decades of being attacked by Fox and other so-called “conservative” outlets, that Hillary Clinton was a damaged candidate.  I, personally, was not an enthusiastic supporter of Clinton.  However, it was obvious from the start, to me, that Trump was the WORST possible person to be in the “White House” at this time so I voted for Mrs. Clinton.  I never believed all the “stuff” the republicans were throwing at her AND I always felt she was one of the most intelligent people running for or in public office – her testimony before the Benghazi committee showed the republicans to be petty political opportunists of the worst sort – I just didn’t agree with much of her more hawkish beliefs.  Now, we have Trump essentially doing what Clinton would have done in Afghanistan.  Of course, Mrs. Clinton would NEVER had treated the Europeans with the disrespect Trump has shown them.  But I digress.

Another really interesting part of Trump’s speech last night to a bunch of ditto heads was his comments about the “wall.”  All during the campaign he talked about how he would “build a was and MEXICO is going to pay for it.”  Of course, even the ditto heads may have been smart enough to know that claim was hogwash.  But, they just cheered Trump along last night as he pointed out he’s willing to “shut down the government” over the “wall” if Congress doesn’t fund it.  That’s right, me, you, and the people in Trump’s audience apparently, in Trump’s mind, are going to pay for that wall.  It’s as if those in his audience just have no ability to think.  Maybe they’re willing to pay for that wall, but I’m NOT!  And millions of other Americans want nothing to do with Trump’s “wall.”

Remember, Trump has an approval rating of somewhere around 34%.  It fluctuates depending on how STUPID his latest STUPID remarks are.  Evidently, for some Americans Trump’s remarks have to be incredibly STUPID before they take notice.  Here’s another example.  Trump is making his claim to being all about “law and order.”  Then out comes the “Sheriff Joe” part of his speech.  Sheriff Joe – as Trump refers to him (Joe Arpaio) – has been accused of various types of misconduct, including abuse of power; misuse of funds; failure to investigate sex crimes; improper clearance of cases; unlawful enforcement of immigration laws; and election law violations. He’s been convicted of criminal contempt of court for continuous violations of court orders that he would stop his racial profiling of Hispanic residents of his jurisdiction.  Trump, evidently in complete contrast to his self proclaimed image as someone who believes in “law and order” is planning to pardon Arpaio – which he made clear in his speech.  Trump said he wouldn’t “do it here, because of all the criticism from the media.”  Again, Yikes!

Arpaio is part of the white nationalists that Trump has a hard time separating himself from.  I believe he wants “we the people” to think he’s “turned the page” after “firing” Steve Bannon, but he’s still got Steven Miller, Sebastian Gorka, and Kellyanne Conway in his “White House.”  Essentially, last night Trump proved that with Bannon gone, essentially NOTHING’S changed.  Could you imagine being the White House chief of staff – meaning your job was to manage the president?

Many have said they think General Kelly will be able to bring “discipline” to Trump and the “White House.”  Well, in one week – last Wednesday to this Tuesday, Trump has proven anyone who believed that wrong twice – in CAPITAL letters!  Trump’s speech at “Trump Tower” last week and his performance in Phoenix last night just confirms that we have a deranged president and the sooner republicans in Congress solve this problem the better.  (Unfortunately, Mike Pense sits in the background and he continues to undermine his own credibility as he acts like a puppy dog around Trump)  Either impeachment or implementing the 25th amendment – preferably to me impeachment – and, then “we the people” can move on.  It should be clear to EVERYONE (except the ditto heads) that our government and our nation is going nowhere while Trump is president and the DAMAGE is mounting.

Soon, the issues of budget and debt ceiling will be on the “burner.”  Is Trump going to lead us to a default?  Is he going to follow through on “shutting down the government” and then blaming democrats?  It’s almost as he has no clue to how the government works.  He’s got a majority in both houses of Congress – he should be able to get his agenda done.  The clear problem is that he has NO agenda – he’s relying on the republicans he’s attacking to come up with something – and, of course, they can’t agree amongst themselves what that should be.

Trump comes across as an idiot as does his followers (or extremists in the sense of those who were carrying the Tiki Torches in Charlottesville).  Trump reflexively attacks anyone who disagrees with him and much of his words and actions would fall into the category Hillary Clinton was referring to with the “basket of deplorables” comment.  I’ve said this before, in many ways Trump is making Mrs. Clinton look like a prophet.  His speech in Phoenix last night brought it all to the forefront.  I’ll end this by saying once more Trump has no boundaries for his reprehensible actions. And, most were on display in Phoenix last night.